U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, toured the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on Thursday and led a discussion with shipyard employees as part of a statewide effort to gather feedback ahead of the committee’s negotiations on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the coming weeks. The NDAA authorizes funding for military programs during the next fiscal year.

“Today is an opportunity to meet the men and women who are so critical to our national security and military readiness,” said Kaine. “Conversations like these are key to learning about priorities across the Commonwealth, including shipyards like Norfolk Naval Shipyard, as we prepare to consider the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act.”

Throughout his conversations with personnel at the shipyard, Kaine called for a return to normal budget order that would replace harmful sequester cuts to federal programs and defense priorities. In Virginia alone, the sequester has been responsible for 70,000 furloughs for Defense Department civilian employees. Kaine has repeatedly pressed Republicans to end their obstruction on the budget by moving to a conference and replacing the sequester with a balanced approach to grow the economy and responsibly reduce the deficit. Today’s visit is the latest in a series of stops Kaine has made at military installations across Virginia. Since taking office, Kaine has visited Fort Belvoir, Naval Station Norfolk, Marine Corps Base Quantico, the National Guard Armory in Staunton, Fort Lee, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Naval Air Station Oceana and the Pentagon.

“I have long advocated a balanced solution to replace the sequester that would reduce the cuts with targeted revenue and make them strategic instead of across the board,” said Kaine. “I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to begin a budget conference with the House to find common ground to replace the sequester so we do not continue unnecessary harm to our economy.”

On Friday, Kaine will visit Charlottesville and Gordonsville to discuss how the farm bill will help Virginia farmers and local markets.

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